“There is a big danger. When there are people in the government and the city halls that have not rejected the values for which many democrats were killed, nobody can make sure that - when the crisis hits - they don´t take their modern suits off and come out with their [fascist] blue shirts and the killings start. And that worries us.”
The nature and origin of the Basque people and language is one of the most incredible mysteries of European culture
I enjoyed travelling through the Basque country and seeing lots of street signs in Euskadi (Basque), Spanish (Castellano/Castillian) and English (God save the queen!).
(Source: veritaze)
What does ‘més que un club’ mean?
In theory, ‘more than a club’ means feelings, it means a political idea of freedom and passion… for football, right?
At a time where politics and more importantly, Independència, is buzzing throughout the rambling state of Catalunya - FC Barcelona’s voice in the movement is long established. When Camp Nou makes a statement, people listen. Spanish football expert Sid Lowe explores FC Barcelona’s involvement in such a delicate and important issue - one which can completely transform Spain.
The journalist interviews a series of politicians, former and current board FC Barcelona members. In particularly, he underlines Joan Laporta’s role, the club’s former President and now an upcoming figure in Catalan politics.
“The Catalans had two options. Either do nothing and continue as we were… Or the option that has never been tried, which is to give as a solution the process for the independence of Catalonia.”
FC Barcelona is a football club, although they are more than a club, or as they like to express it: ‘més que un club’. However, despite their involvement in Catalan politics, which is certainly pioneered through their board directors and passionate fans - the club must be careful, they can’t be used as a political engineer.
And as Cruyff states, “their attitude is one of the most improtant things - and sometimes it’s a battle.”
The next weeks and months will be crucial in Catalonia’s fight for independence, and Barça too will be greatly affected - on or off the field; but it’s important to remember they are neither the protagonist nor the leader.
[This short documentary was first posted on the Guardian, by Sid Lowe - Posted by Dominic]
Attention! , In Spain The people is around the Parliament
until the government resigns .
Now THIS is a protest.
Protestors Take To Streets In Madrid
Spain’s two largest regions took steps that underscored their deepening economic troubles and displeasure with his austerity plans.
Presenting the biggest domestic political challenge, the leader ofCatalonia, Spain’s most powerful economic region, called an early election for Nov. 25 that could turn into an unofficial referendum on whether to split from the rest of the country.
Catalonia’s demands for more autonomy have been fueled by its own financial problems, which forced the Catalan government last month to request $6.5 billion from an emergency fund of $23.3 billion set up by Mr. Rajoy’s government to help regions meet their debt financing obligations.
Underlining its deepening financial difficulties, another region, Andalusia, said Tuesday that it was preparing to request $6.3 billion from the fund.
The developments unfolded as police officers and protesters clashed before the Parliament building and as Mr. Rajoy comes under intense pressure from investors and his European counterparts to clean up Spain’s banks and public finances, particularly at the regional level.
The problems in the regions, both political and economic, appear to be intensifying, as Catalonia’s move showed Tuesday, two weeks after a huge pro-independence rally in Barcelona.
“The voice of the street needs to be moved to the ballot boxes,” the president of Catalonia, Artur Mas, told lawmakers at the regional Parliament. “We want to have the same instruments that other nations have in order to develop their own collective identity.”
I don’t know how many of you guys understand the seriousness of all of this. “Catalonia Is Not Spain” could become a reality.
